Methods of and apparatus for chemical nickel plating



Dec. 17, 1957 P. TALMEY 2,816,845

METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR CHEMICAL. NICKEL PLATING Filed March 9, 1955 Chemical N/c Fla/717g .S'ysfem Inc/ud/hg- 1 COO/er 2 Storage Tank' 3 Pump 4 F Mar 5 Hea/Er 6 Regen E qu/p.

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METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR CHEMICAL NICKEL PLATING Paul Talmey, liarrington, Ill., assiguor to General American Transportation Corporation, Chicago, iii, a corporation ol. New York Application March 9, 1955, Serial No. 493,191

11 Claims. (Cl. 117-97) The present invention relates to methods of and apparatus for chemical nickel plating of hollow bodies formed of catalytic material, particularly tanks and the like; and it is a general object of the invention to provide improved methods and apparatus of the character of that disclosed in the copending application of Paul Talmey and William J. Crehan, Serial No. 299,784, filed July 19, 1952, now Patent No. 2,717,218, granted on September 6, 1955.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of and an apparatus for chemical nickel plating of the interior surfaces of large bottles, tanks and other hollow bodies formed of steel or other catalytic materials, that are particularly well-suited to large-scale production.

A further object of the invention is to provide amethod of and an apparatus for chemical nickel plating of hollow bodies of the character described, that require only a minimum number of elements that may be readily detachably nited States Patent O connected and disconnected with respect to a wide variety 1 of the bodies incident to the chemical nickel plating of the interior surfaces thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus that may be employed in the chemical nickel plating of the interior surfaces of hollow steel bodies, involved in an assembly-line production system.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the steps of the method and of the elements of the apparatus, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is 'a fragmentary side elevational view, partly broken away and partly in section, of chemical nickel plating apparatus embodying the present invention and in which the method of the present invention may be carried out, and illustrating the nickel plating of the interior :sur-

faces of a steel bottle;

Fig. 2 is another fragmentary side elevational View, mostly in section, of a part'of the apparatus of Fig. -l and illustrating the nickel plating of the interior surfaces of a steel tank; and

Fig. 3 is a further fragmentary :side elevational view, mostly in section, of a part of the apparatus of Fig. l, and illustrating the nickel plating of the interior surfaces of a steel pipe or tube.

Referring now to :Fig. 1 of the drawing, the chemical nickel plating apparatus .10 there illustrated and embodying the features of the present invention is employed for the purpose of the chemical nickel plating of the interior surfaces of aisteel bottle 11 provided with .a substantially cylindrical side Wall 12, a convex bottom wall or head 13, and a throated top wa 1lor-head1-4,theextreme outer "end of the open throat into the 'top head .14 being surrounded by a substantiallyannular flange 15. Theapp'a- "ratus 10 "comprises a lower main base '16 supported :upon

and 22, and about its longitudinal axis.

ported upon the main base 16 by a plurality of adjusting screws 19, whereby the angle between the bases 16 and 18 may be appropriately adjusted in order selectively to establish the inclination of the auxiliary base 18 with respect to the horizontal.

The bottle 11 is supported upon the auxiliary base 18 'for rotation about its longitudinal axis upon the auxiliary base 18 by an arrangement including a pair of front rollers 20 arranged in laterally spaced-apart relation and engaging the cylindrical side wall 12 adjacent to the top head 14, a pair of rear rollers 21 arranged in laterally spacedapart relation and engaging the cylindrical side wall 12 adjacent to the bottom head 13, and a centrally disposed extreme rear roller 22 engaging the rear head 13. In the arrangement, the front rollers 20 are carried by a bracket 23 that is supported upon an associated stand ard 24 arranged adjacent to the front end of the auxiliary base 18, the pair of rear rollers 21 are carried by a bracket 25 that is supported upon an associated standard 26 arranged adjacent to the intermediate portion of the auxiliary base 18, and the extreme rear roller 22 is carried by a bracket 27 that is supported upon an associated standard 28 arranged adjacent to the rear end of the auxiliary base 18. The front rollers 20 and the extreme rear roller 22 are idler rollers; whereas the rear rollers 21 are drive rollers. More particularly, at least one of the rear rollers 21 is driven by an arrangement including an electric motor 29 provided with an operating shaft to which there ,is connected gear mechanism '30 supported by the bracket 25. The gear mechanism 30 is of the speed-reduction type including a driven shaft carrying a gear 31 that meshes a pinion 32 provided on the shaft carrying the one rear drive roller 21 mentioned. Thus it will be understood that operation of the motor 29 effects driving of thc one drive roller 21, whereby the bottle 11 is rotated .in its supported position upon the rollers 20, 21 Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the bottle 11 is disposed in a substantially horizontal position, but tilted slightly with respect to the horizontal so that the top head 14 is positioned slightly above the bottom head 13 in order to cause the bottom head .13 to run in continuous engagement with the extreme rear roller 22. In Fig. 1, this inclination of the longitudinal axis of the bottle 11 with respect to the horizontal is greatly exaggerated for the purpose of emphasis.

Also, the apparatus 10 comprises a plate 33 that is 'detachably secured to the annular flange 15 in liquid-tight side walls thereof; and the extreme front end of the front end portion 37 of the tube 36 projects through the open- .ing 42 so that the sump 39 is disposed therebelow.

Further, the apparatus 10 comprises a standard 44 supported by the floor 17 and disposed forwardly of the launder 38 and including a pair of resilient arms 45 ,hav ing aligned openings 46 disposed adjacent to the upper end thereof and receiving a substantially spherical mounting member 47 therebetween. The mounting member 47-is clamped inplace between the resilient arms 45 with- "in the openings 46 by an arrangement including a bolt 48 havinga threaded shank carrying a wing nut 49, the extremities of the bolt 48 being arranged in aligned slots '50 provided in the extreme top ends of the resilient arms '45. A longitudinally extending hole '51 is provided tion of the hole 51 may be appropriately adjusted by manipulation of the mounting member 47, when the wing nut 49 is loosened upon the bolt 48.

Further, the apparatus comprises an elongated quill 52 that is supported by the mounting member 47 in frictional engagement with the hole 51 therein, so that the quill 52 may be slid longitudinally with respect to the mounting member 47 through the hole 51 when the mounting member 47 is clamped in place between the arms 45 of the standard 44. The quill 52 projects through the opening 43 in the adjacent side wall of the hood 40 of the launder 38 and thence through the tube 36 into the interior of the bottle 11, the extreme outer end of the quill 52 terminating in front of the bottom head 13. More particularly, the longitudinal axis of the quill 52 extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the bottle 11, whereby the bottle 11 is rotated about the stationary quill 52. The quill 52 is employed for the purpose of supplying the chemical nickel plating solution into the interior of the bottle 11 and carries a manually controllable valve 53 for adjusting the rate at which the planting solution is thus supplied.

Finally, the apparatus 10 comprises equipment (not shown), indicated by the box 60 that may be generally of the character of that disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,658,839, granted on November 10, 1953 to Paul Talmey and William J. Crehan; which equipment accommodates the continuous circulation of the chemical nickel plating solution from the composite equipment 60 through the steel bottle 11 and back to the composite equipment 60. Preferably, the composite equipment 60 is of the construction and arrangement of that disclosed in the copending application of Paul Talmey and William J. Crehan, Serial No. 490,079, filed February 23, 1955; which composite equipment, not shown, includes in series circuit relation a regeneration tank, a storage tank, filter equipment, a preheater of the indirectly heated type, a final heater of the steam-injection type, a connection 61 to the outer end of the quill 52, a connection 62 from the launder 38, an initial cooler of the flash evaporator type, and an after-cooler of the indirectly cooled type. More particularly, the connection 61 from the composite apparatus 60 may comprise a flexible hose 63 connected to the outer end of the quill 52 adjacent to the valve 53; while the connection 62 from the launder 38 may comprise a pipe 64 communicating with the bottom of the sump 39. Thus, in the arrangement, the hot chemical nickel plating solution at a temperature of about 210 F. is continuously injected through the quill 52 into the interior of the rotating steel tank 11, whereby the plating solution partially fills the rotating tank 11 to a level (indicated at 65) somewhat above the longitudinal axis thereof and then overflows therefrom through the space between the quill 52 and the tube 36 and thence from the open front end portion 37 of the tube 36 arranged within the launder 38, whereby a continuous supply of fresh chemical nickel plating solution is maintained within the interior of the steel tank 11. The plating solution pouring from the front end portion 37 of the tube 36 falls into the sump 39 and is then returned via the connection 62 back to the composite equipment 60. Of course, any of the plating solution that is flung outwardly and upwardly from the open front end portion 37 of the tube 36 is caught by the hood 40 and drained back into the sump 39.

The chemical nickel plating solution may be of any well-known type, such, for example, as disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,658,842, granted on November 10, 1953 to Gregoire Gutzeit and Ernest J. Ramirez, but preferably the plating solution has the particular composition disclosed in the copending application of Gregoire Gutzeit, Paul Talmey and Warren G. Lee, Serial No. 479,088, filed December 31, 1954, since this plating solution is especially designed for use in the continuous chemical nickel plating process.

A typical example of an aqueous chemical nickel plating solution of the character disclosed in the Gutzeit, Talmey and Lee application has the following composition:

The lactic anion may be derived from lactic acid, sodium lactate, etc., while the propionic anion may be derived from propionic acid, sodium propionate, etc. The absolute concentration of hypophosphite anions in the bath is within the approximate range 0.15 to 1.20 mole/liter; the ratio between nickel cations and hypophosphite anions in the bath is within the approxlmate range 0.25 to 1.60; the absolute concentration of lactic anions in the bath is within the approximate range 0.25 to 0.60 mole/liter; the approximate concentration of propionic anions in the bath is within theapproximate range 0.025 to 0.060 mole/liter; and the 1n1t1al pH of the bath is adjusted within the approximate range 4.0 to 5.6 employing H or NaOH, as required. I

This particular plating bath is very advantageous in the continuous chemical nickel plating system, since it possesses a high plating rate, a great phosphite tolerance, and great stability under the various temperature and other operating conditions encountered in the system.

In the apparatus 10, nickel cations are reduced to metallic nickel and plated upon the catalytic interior surfaces of the steel bottle 11, simultaneously with the oxidation of hypophosphite anions to phosphite anions;

whereby it is necessary to regenerate the chemical nickel plating solution in the continuous chemical nickel plat ng system as time proceeds in order to prevent the depletion in the plating solution of the nickel cations and the hypophosphite anions. Preferably, this regeneration of the chemical nickel plating solution is carried out upon a continuous basis in the regeneration tank of the composite equipment 60; and is effected by the continuous addition thereto of nickel-containing and hypophosphite-containing reagents. Also, in the regeneration tank mentioned, hydroxyl anions are continuously supplied in order to prevent an undesirable departure of the pH from the preferred range, since the plating reactions tend to bring about a reduction of the pH. Further, in the regeneration tank mentioned, lactic anions and propionic anions are added, if and as required. Thus, in the continuous nickel plating system, the continuous regeneration of the chemical nickel plating solution insures that there is no substantial departure of the composition thereof from that desired with respect to the principal ingredients thereof. However, there is, of course, the build-up in the plating solution of the phosphite anions previously mentioned. However, the particular chemical nickel plating bath noted has a phosphite tolerance of at least about 1.0 mole/liter; whereby this plating bath has an exceedingly long useful life in the continuous nickel plating system.

Further, it is noted that in the operation of the apparatus 10, the steel bottle 11 is rotated at a suitable speed, in view of the diameter thereof, so that the film of plating solution upon the upper interior surfaces thereof is not broken and so that there is no substantial decomposition of the plating solution in this film, as the bottle 11 is rotated. These objectives may be readily achieved by rotation of the bottle 11 at a very modest speed; and this circumstance is noted fundamentally to caution the operator that the rotation of the bottle 11 should not be arrested during any prolonged time interval during the plating of the interior surfaces thereof.

Turning now to the matter of the nickel plating of the interior surfaces of other than steel bottles, it is noted that the surface "of the bottle to be plated shnul'd he formed essentially of a catalytic element. The following elements are catalytic for the oxidation of hypophosphite anions and thus may be directly nickel plated: iro'n, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum. The following elements may be nickel plated by virtue of the initial displacement deposition of nickel thereon, either directly or through a galvanic effect: copper, silver, gold, beryllium, germanium, aluminum, carbon, vanadium molybdenum tungsten, chromium, selenium, tellurium and uranium. The following elements are non-catalytic and may not ordinarily be nickel plated: bismuth, cadmium, tin, lead and zinc. The activity of the catalytic materials varies considerably and the following elements are particularly good catalysts in the chemical nickel plating bath: iron, cobalt, nickel and palladium. The chemical nickel plating process is autocatalytic, since both the original surface of the body being plated and the nickel metal that is deposited on the surface thereof are catalytic, whereby the reduction of the nickel cations to metallic nickel proceeds with the corresponding oxidation of the hypophosphite anions to phosphite anions, the metallic nickel being deposited upon the surface of the body undergoing the plating operation and producing a nickel coating of any desired thickness proportional to the immersion time. Actually the nickel deposit or plating upon the surface of the body comprises an alloy of nickel and phosphorus, containing about 5% to 11% phosphorus by weight. Moreover, the nickel plating upon the surface of the body is considerably harder and more abrasionresistant than electro-deposited nickel, whereby the re 'sulting article has utility in a great variety of applications.

Further in conjunction with the plating of the interior surfaces of the steel bottle 11, it is pointed out that the usual preparation thereof that is employed in electroplating processes is normally required. Specifically, the interior surfaces of the steel bottle 11 are prepared by mechanical cleaning, degreasing and light pickling. For example, it is suggested that the interior surfaces of the bottle 11 be mechanically cleaned to remove any rust and mill scale therefrom, then subjected to a standard degreasing step, and then lightly pickled in a suitable mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid.

Of course, the prepared bottle 11 is then placed upon the rollers 20, 21 and 22, the assembly of the plate 33 and the tube 36 are secured to the flange 15 about the open throat of the bottle 11 by the C-clamps 35; the quill 52 is inserted through the tube 36 into the interior of the bottle '11; the position of the quill 52 is secured by manipulation of the wing nut 49 with respect to the eye-bolt 48, the hood 40 is placed about the outer front portion 37 of the tube 36 and upon the sump 39; and operation of the electric motor 29 is initiated. At this time, the bottle 11 is rotated about its longitudinal axis and about the quill 52, and preferably out of contact therewith. Finally, the valve 53 is opened, and adjusted so as to effect the required flow of the plating solution through the quill 52 and thence back into the launder 38, whereby the plating solution is circulated at a proper rate to maintain the temperature of about 210 F. of the plating solution in the bottle 11 and throughout a suitable time interval in order to bring about the plating of a continuous nickel coating upon the interior surfaces thereof of the thickness required. In passing, it is noted that the particular chemical nickel plating solution specified possesses a plating rate of about 1 mil per hour at a temperature of about 210 F., whereby the required time interval of rotation of the bottle 11 is readily established in view of the desired thickness of the nickel coating upon the interior surfaces thereof.

' 6 ner, such, for example, as raising the lower end thereof or by the utilization of a suction tube, not shown.

Referring now to Fig. 2 of the drawing, a slightly modified form of 'the apparatus embodying the features of the present invention is illustrated that is employed for the purpose of the chemical nickel plating of the interior surfaces of a steel tank 111. In this arrangement, the steel tank 111 is provided with a front end wall 114 having a relatively large throat opening thereinto that is surrounded by an outwardly directed annular flange 115; whereby the plate 133 must be of the required relatively large diameter, as illustrated. Also, in this arrangement, it is contemplated that the annular flange 115 of the tank 111 comprises a series of radially spaced-apart threaded holes therethrough; whereby the plate 133 may be secured in place employing a corresponding series of bolts 135.

Moreover, in the apparatus 110, a number of forwardly directed pipes 170 are carried by the plate 133 and disposed around the sides of the tube 136 so that the pipes 1'76 are alternately positioned above and below the level of the plating solution as the tank 111 is rotated. The inner end of each of the pipes communicates with the interior of the tank 111, and the outer end thereof communicates with the launder 138; and valves 171 are arranged intermediate the ends of the pipes 170 for the purpose of controlling the flow of fluid therethrough. Accordingly, it will be understood that when one of the pipes 170 is elevated to a position above the level 1&5 of the plating solution in the rotating tank 111, the gas accumulating in the upper portion of the rotating tank 111 above the level 165 of the plating solution therein may readily escape to the exterior via the pipe 170 and into the upper portion of the launder 138 to be ventilated to the atmosphere. In this connection, it is pointed out that hydrogen gas is evolved as the plating reactions proceed in the plating solution in the rotating tank 111, whereby the arrangement of the pipes 170 accommodates the ready escape of this gas without the bubbling thereof through the space between the tube 136 and the quill 152. Of course, there is some escape of the plating solution through the pipes 170 as they are rotated into a position disposed below the level 165 of the plating solution in the tank 111; which plating solution is caught within the launder 138 and recirculated together with the plating solution spilling from the front end portion 137 of the tube 136.

The fundamental operation of the apparatus 111') in the plating of the interior surfaces of the tank 111 is the same as that previously described and is not reiterated in the interest of brevity.

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawing, a slightly modified form of the apparatus 210 embodying the features of the present invention is illustrated that is employed for the purpose of the chemical nickel plating of the interior surfaces of a steel tube 211. In this arrangement, the steel tube 211 comprises a side wall 212 terminating adjacent to the opposite ends thereof in annular flanges 215a and 1215b; whereby the steel tube 211 comprises neither a bottom end wall nor a top end wall. Accordingly, in this arrangement it is necessary to provide the steel tube 211 with a bottom end wall in the form of an annular plate 213 secured in place by any suitable means (C-clamps 213a being illustrated) and with a top end wall in the form of an annular plate 214- secured in place by any suitable means (G-cl'amps 214a being illustrated). Thus the annular plates 213 and 214 when assembled upon the steel tube 211 in fact make a composite tank thereof; whereupon the plate 233 carrying the tube 236 is assembled upon the front end plate 214 in any suitable manner, a series of screws 233a being illustrated. Thus the composite arrangement of the steel tube 211 in the apparatus 210 is the same as that of the tank 111'; whereupon the plating operation proceeds in the manner previously described.

In' conjunction with the apparatus 10, 110 and-210 of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 respectively of the drawing, it is noted that thevarious auxiliary fixtures that are required therein that come into contact with the chemical nickel plat ing solution should be formed of materials that are not catalytic so as to prevent nickel plating thereupon. For example, the plate 33, the tube 36, the quill 52, the valve 53, etc., incorporated in the apparatus 10 of Fig. 1 of the drawing should be formed of materials that are not catalytic, or at least the surfaces of these parts that are in contact with the plating solution should not be catalytic. Specifically, the parts mentioned may be formed of glass or other non-metallic materials; or alternatively the surfaces of these parts, if formed of metal, should carry a protective coating of plastic or other material that is not catalytic; whereby, there is no useless expenditure of the chemical nickel plating in undesirable nickel plating of the parts mentioned. This requirement is in nowise different from that which must be carried into the composite equipment 60 comprising the fundamental elements of the continuous chemical nickel plating system.

From the above, it will be understood that by the utilization of auxiliary plates, parts, etc., almost any hollow body formed of catalytic material, even though large and cumbersome, may be arranged to comprise a composite tank so that the interior surfaces thereof may be chemically nickel plated in accordance with the process of the present invention utilizing the apparatus described.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there have been provided an improved method of chemical nickel plating and an improved apparatus for carrying-out the method, whereby the interior surfaces of a large variety of hollow articles may be readily chemically nickel plated.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. The method of chemically plating with nickel the interior surfaces of a hollow body formed of catalytic material and having a wall provided with an opening therein; said method comprising rotating said body about a substantially horizontal axis extending through said opening and about a quill projecting from the exterior through said opening in spaced relation with said wall and into the interior of said body, providing a chemical nickel plating solution of the nickel cation-hypophosphite anion type and having a given composition, heating said solution to a temperature within a given range disposed near the boiling point thereof, supplying said solution from said heating step under pressure into the outer end of said quill and therethrough into the interior of said rotating body, whereby said solution supplied into said rotating body maintains a partial fill therein and overflows therefrom through said space in said opening about said quill and then spills back to the exterior, catching said solution as it spills from said rotating body through said space in said opening about said quill, and returning said caught solution to said heating step, wherein the rate of circulation of said solution through said body is adequate to maintain the temperature of said partial fill therein within said given range, and wherein the speed of rotation of said body is adequate to maintain films of said solution upon the unsubmerged interior surfaces thereof and to prevent substantial departure of the composition of said solution in said films from said given composition.

2. The method of chemically plating with nickel the interior surfaces of a hollow body formed of catalytic material and having a wall provided with an opening therein; said method comprising rotating said body about .a substantially horizontal axis extending through said opening and about a quill projecting from the exterior 'through said opening in spaced relation with said wall and into the interior of said body, providing a chemical nickel plating solution of the nickel cation-hypophosphite anion type and having a given composition, heating said solution to a temperature within a given range disposed near the boiling point thereof, supplying said solution from said heating step under pressure into the outer end of said quill and therethrough into the interior of said rotating body, whereby said solution supplied into said rotating body maintains a partial fill therein and overflows therefrom through said space in said opening about said quill and then spills back to the exterior, catching said solution as it spills from said rotating body through said space in said opening about said quill, regenerating said caught solution to prevent substantial departure of the composition thereof from said given composition, said regenerating step consisting essentially of adding to said caught solution soluble nickel-containing and hypophosphite-containing reagents, and returning said caught solution to said heating step, wherein the rate of circulation of said solution through said body is adequate to maintain the temperature of said partial fill therein within said given range, and wherein the speed of rotation of said body is adequate to maintain films of said solution upon the unsubmerged interior surfaces thereof and to prevent substantial departure of the composition of said solution in said films from said given composition.

3. The method of chemically plating with nickel the interior surfaces of a steel tank having a substantially cylindrical side wall and an end wall provided with a substantially centrally disposed opening therein; said method comprising supporting said tank upon said side wall with its longitudinal axis in a substantially horizontal position, arranging a quill in said opening and extending from the exterior into the interior of said tank and leaving a space in said opening, rotating said tank in its supported position and about said quill, providing a chemical nickel plating solution of the nickel cation-hypophosphite anion type and having a given composition, heating said solution to a temperature within a given range disposed near the boiling point thereof, supplying said solution from said heating step under pressure into the outer end of said quill and therethrough into the interior of said rotating body, whereby said solution supplied into said rotating body maintains a partial fill therein and overflows therefrom through said space in said opening about said quill and then spills back to the exterior, catching said solution as it spills from said rotating body through said space in said opening about said quill, and returning said caught solution to said heating step, wherein the rate of circulation of said solution through said body is adequate to maintain the temperature of said partial fill therein within said given range, and wherein the speed of rotation of said body is adequate to maintain films of said solution upon the unsubmerged interior surfaces thereof and to prevent substantial departure of the composition of said solution in said films from said given composition.

4. Apparatus for chemically nickel plating the interior surfaces of a body formed of catalytic material and having a wall provided With an opening therein; said apparatus comprising a base, means carried by said base for removably supporting said body for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis extending through said opening, a quill carried by said base and projecting from the exterior through said opening in spaced relation with said wall and into the interior of said body, means for rotating said body in its supported position about said quill, means for supplying an aqueous chemical nickel plating solution under pressure into the outer end of said quill and therethrough into the interior of said body,

whereby said solution supplied into said rotating body .malntains a partial fill therein and overflows therefrom through said space in said opening about said quill and spreads solution asit spillsto the exterior "from said rotating body through said space in said opening about said quill, and means for reuniting said solution from said catching means backto said supplying means.

5. Apparatus for chemically nickel plating the interior surfaces of a body "formed of catalytic material and having a wall provided with an opening therein; said apparatus comprising a base, means carried by said base for removably supporting said body for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis extending through said opening, a standard, a fixture carried by said standard, a quill carried by said fixtureand projecting from the exterior through said opening in spaced relation with said well and into the interior of said body, said fixture accommodating adjustment "of the position of said quill and proper alignment thereof with respect to said axis of rotation or said body, means for rotating said body in ts supported position about said quill, means for supplymg an aqueous chemical nickel plating solution under pressure into the outer end of said quill and therethrough into the interior of said body, whereby said solution supplied into said rotating body maintains a partial fill therein and overflows therefrom through said space in said opening about said quill and then spills back to the exterior, means for catching said solution as it spills -to the exterior from said rotating body through said space n said opening about said quill, and means for returnmg sa1d solution from said catching means back to said supplying means.

6. Apparatus for chemically nickel plating the interior surfaces of a body formed of catalytic material and having a wall provided with an opening therein; said apparatus comprising a base, means carried by said base for removably supporting said body for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis extending through said opening, a standard, a fixture carried by said standard, a quill carried by said fixture and projecting from the exterior through said opening in spaced relation with said wall and into the interior of said body, said fixture accommodating longitudinal sliding movements of said quill into and out of said opening, means for rotating said body in its supported position about said quill, means for supplying an aqueous chemical nickel plating solution under pressure into the outer end of said quill and therethrough into the interior of said body, whereby said solution supplied into said rotating body maintains a partial fill therein and overflows therefrom through said space in said opening about said quill and then spills back to the exterior, means for catching said solution as it spills to the exterior from said rotating body through said space in said opening about said quill, and means for returning said solution from said catching means back to said supplying means.

7. Apparatus for chemically nickel plating the interior surfaces of a body formed of catalytic material and having a wall provided with an opening therein; said apparatus comprising a base, means carried by said base for removably supporting said body for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis extending through said opening, a quill carried by said base and projecting from the ex terior through said opening in spaced relation with said wall and into the interior of said body, means for rotating said body in its supported position about said quill, means for supplying an aqueous chemical nickel plating solution under pressure into the outer end of said quill and therethrough into the interior of said body, whereby said solution supplied into said rotating body maintains a partial fill therein and overflows therefrom through said space in said opening about said quill and then spills back to the exterior, valve means carried by said quill for regulating the quantity of said solution supplied therethrough into the interior of said body, means for catching said solution as it spills to the exterior from said rotating body through said space in said opening about said quill, and means for returning said solution from said catching means back to said supplying means.

8. A paratus for chemicall nickel plating the interior surfaces of a body formed of catalytic material and hairing-a wall provided with an opening therein; said apparatus comprising a base, means carried by said base for removably supporting said body for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis extending through said opening, a plate detachably secured in liquid-tight relation to said wall about said opening and having a hole therein aligned with said opening, a quill carried by said base and projecting from the exterior through said hole in spaced relation with said plate and into the interior of said body, means for -'rot'ating said body in its supported position about said quill, whereby said plate is rotated with said bodyand-about said quill, means for supplying an aqueous chemical nickel plating solution under pressure into the outer end of said quill and therethrough into the interior of said body, whereby said solution supplied into said rotating body maintains a partial fill therein and overflows therefrom through said space in said hole about said quill and then spills back to the exterior, means for catching said'solut-ion as it spills to the exterior from said rotating body through said space in said hole about said quill, and means for returning said solution from said catching means back to said supplying means.

9. Apparatus for chemically nickel plating the interior surfaces of a body formed of catalytic material and having a wall provided with an opening therein; said apparatus comprising a base, means carried by said base for removably supporting said body for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis extending through said opening, a plate detachably secured in liquid-tight relation to said wall about said opening and having a hole therein aligned with said opening, an outwardly directed tube carried by said plate in surrounding relation with said hole, a quill carried by said base and projecting from the exterior through said tube and said hole in spaced relation with said tube and said plate and into the interior of said body, means for rotating said body in its supported position about said quill, whereby said plate and said tube are rotated with said body and about said quill, means for supplying an aqueous chemical nickel plating solution under pressure into the outer end of said quill and therethrough into the interior of said body, whereby said solution supplied into said rotating body maintains a partial fill therein and overflows therefrom through said space in said hole about said quill and between said quill and said tube and then spills from the outer end of said tube back to the exterior, means for catching said solution as it spills to the exterior from the outer end of said rotating tube, and means for returning said solution from said catching means back to said supplying means.

10. Apparatus for chemically nickel plating the interior surfaces of a body formed of catalytic material and having a wall provided with an opening therein; said apparatus comprising a base, means carried by said base for removably supporting said body for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis extending through said opening, a plate detachably secured in liquid-tight relation to said wall about said opening and having a hole therein aligned with said opening, an outwardly directed tube carried by said plate in surrounding relation with said hole, a quill carried by said base and projecting from the exterior through said tube and said hole in spaced relation with said tube and said plate and into the interior of said body, means for rotating said body in its supported position about said quill, whereby said plate and said tube are rotated with said body and about said quill, means for supplying an aqueous chemical nickel plating solution under pressure into the outer end of said quill and therethrough into the interior of said body, whereby said solution supplied into said rotating body maintains a partial fill therein and overflows therefrom through said space in said hole about said quill and between said quill and said tube and then spills from the outer end of said tube back to the exterior, a launder associated with the disposed under the outer end of'said tube and an upper hood extending around and over the outer end of said tube, and means for returning said solution from said sump back to said supplying means.

11. Apparatus for chemically nickel plating the interior surfaces of a body formed of catalytic material and having a wall provided with an opening therein; said apparatus comprising a base, means carried by said'base for remov-ably supporting said body for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis extending through said opening, a plate detachably secured in liquid-tight relation to said wall about said opening and having a hole therein aligned with said opening, an outwardly directed tube carried by said plate in surrounding relation with said hole, at least one pipe carried by said plate exteriorly of said tube and communicating through said opening between the interior of said body and the exterior, a quill carried by said base and projecting from the exterior through said tube and said hole in spaced relation with said tube and said plate and into the interior of said body, means for rotating said body in its supported position about said quill, whereby said plate and said tube are rotated with said body and about said quill and said pipe is rotated with said plate about said tube,

-means for supplying an aqueouschemical nickel plating solution under pressure into the outer end of said quill and therethrough into the interior of said body, whereby said solution supplied into said rotating body maintains a partial fill therein and overflows therefrom throughsaid space in said hole about said quill and between said quill and said tube and then spills from the outer end of said tube back to the exterior, said pipe being disposed alternately in upper and lower positions respectively arranged above and below said partial fill in said rotating body, whereby any gas accumulating in said body above the level of said partial fill therein may escape to the exterior through said pipe in its upper position, and means for catching said solution as it spills to the exterior from the outer end of said rotating tube as well as any of said solution spilling to the exterior through said rotating pipe in its lower position, and means for returning said solution from said catching means back to said supplying means.

Aulback et al. June 17, 1937 Talmey et al Sept. 6, 1955 

1. THE METHOD OF CHEMICALLY PLATING WITH NICKEL THE INTERIOR SURFACES OF A HOLLOW BODY FORMED OF CATALYTIC MATERIAL AND HAVING A WALL PROVIDED WITH AN OPENING THEREIN; SAID METHOD COMPRISING ROTATING SAID BODY ABOUT A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL AXIS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID OPENING AND ABOUT A QUILL PROJECTING FROM THE EXTERIOR THROUGH SAID OPENING IN SPACED RELATION WITH SAID WALLL AND INTO THE INTERIOR OF SAID BODY, PROVIDING A CHEMICAL NICKEL PLATING SOLUTION OF THE NICKEL CATION-HYPOPHOSPHITE ANION TYPE AND HAVING A GIVEN COMPOSITION, HEATING SAID SOLUTION TO A TEMPERATURE WITHIN A GIVEN RANGE DISPOSED NEAR THE BOILING POINT THEREOF, SUPPLYING SAID SOLUTION FROM SAID HEATING STEP UNDER PRESSURE INTO THE OUTER END OF SAID QUILL AND THERETHROUGH INTO THE INTERIOR OF SAID ROTATING BODY, WHEREBY SAID SOLUTION SUPPLIED INTO SAID ROTATING BODY MAINTAINS A PARTIAL FILL THEREIN AND OVERFLOWS THEREFROM THROUGH SAID SPACE IN SAID OPENING ABOUT SAID QUILL AND THEN SPILLS BACK TO THE EXTERIOR, CATCHING SAID SOLUTION AS IT SPILLS FROM SAID ROTATING BODY THROUGH SAID SPACE IN SAID OPENING ABOUT SAID QUILL, AND RETURNING SAID CAUGHT SOLUTION TO SAID HEATING STEP, WHEREIN, THE RATE OF CIRCULATION OF SAID SOLUTION THROUGH SAID BODY IS ADEQUATE TO MAINTAIN THE TEMPERATURE OF SAID PARTIAL FILL THEREIN WITH SAID GIVEN RANGE, AND WHEREIN THE SPEED OF ROTATION OF SAID BODY IS ADEQUATE TO MAINTAIN FILMS OF SAID SOLUTION UPON THE UNSUBMERGED INTERIOR SURFACES THEREOF AND TO PREVENT SUBSTANTIAL DEPARTURE OF THE COMPOSITION OF SAID SOLUTION IN SAID FILM FROM SAID GIVEN COMPOSITION. 